Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-26

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fodder. Ii may be pleasant TO the taste.
but in the stomach il will be aS wormwood
and gall. There are quite number of re-
publicans in Springfield. Just now, who
seem favorably inclined toward the new
democratic police judge law, and seem to
favor its adoption by our people at the
special election to 5e held for the purpose
of a public expression on il. We declare it
to be democratic law from the fact
that it was conceived and brought
forth in the democratic camp. II is the
fruit of democratic brain and is supported
with the usual democratic enthusiasm by
the party leaders and heelerS. and it is eN-
pected 10 fulfill the party mission. If enough
unwary republicans can be duped into its
support. to put it in force. Why repub-
licans should be drawn into the support of
a democratic scheme by such a bait does
not seem clear. for i is certainly no time
for our party members to be drawn after
strange gods by such a gauLy bait
The democrats, from whose brains the
bill emanated. are wise aud cunning, and
the hook has been adroitly covered 10 catch
the confding voter.
These cunning wouid-be fishers of men
are anxious to retain the control OF our city
government.
II is apparent that. if the republicans
are united in their support of carefully
nominated ticket, we can carry the city.
this spring. by our old-time majority. The
democrats see this and have Cunnngly
gone to work and brought forth this police
judge scheme, the purpose of which is to
increase the opportunities for republican
bunders. They well understand that, while
the republicans might select ticket COM
posed of one or two candidates, strong and
popular enough to lead the party 10 victory
in this city. our chances OF defeat would be
increased in the same ratio as the number
of candidates on the ticket is increased.
This democratic bill increases the Offices to
be filled by three and correSpondingly in
creaSeS our chances of defeat. How may
be asked. Simply because the success of our
ticket depends largely upon the personal
popularity of the individuals composing the
ticket and the entire ticket will receive
only about the support given the least pop
uIar candidate.
Republicans should be alive to this. Ii is
well known fact that, should the law be
adopted al the special election. the full
democratic ticket is agreed upon but that
should it be defeated. it will be difficult to
find a man who is willing to stand up and
take defeat. Such is the democratic conf
dence of success. should the bill
prevail. And it cannot prevail un-
less supported largely by republicans.
and it is certainly as great breach of party
feaity to thus aid and abet the enemy. in
advance of the fight. as it is to vote their
nominated ticket straight
Some attempt TO justify their position by
claiming merit for the bill. Even if il does
possess some merit. would We be justified in
voting for a measure that is to give us some
little Improvement in the administration of
a police court. when by so doing. we leopard
ize all our other city interests by turning
them over INTO tnt nallu> OF the uelnOC-
racy.
The operations of the police court are a
small matter compared with the general ad-
of our city government.
We should not lose sight Of all this and
be hoodwinked by the managers of this
great democratic scheme of reform.
We are not ready to admit. either. that
the law possesses more than one good
point. and that has already been put in
force by the abolition of the marShaI'S of
tce. Beyond that, the provisions of the
bill are not what We want. When we in
augurate reform, We want that reform to be
real. honest and permanent We want
more than a simple improvement on the
present system. We wan. the very best
that can be procured. and the best can be
secured just as easily As anything less.
Let the mayors Office be made Salaried
office, and let our police and fire depart |
mentS be placed in the hands of either an /
elective or an appointiye commission. and /
then We will be reaching near the point of /
real reform.
We want 10 caution republicans TO be .
ware, and not to fritter away their oppor- /
nnities of success this spring by assisting .
he democrats in a measure, the sole pur-
bose of which is republican defeat.
All republicans should vote against the .
ill because il is a democratic scheme, and |
III other good citizens should vote against
I because it does not give the desired re-